Blossoming flower displays thanks to Pathway Project students

A blooming marvellous display of flowers will be greeting patients and visitors to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital thanks to the efforts of green fingered students.

Six students on the Pathway Project braved the cold last week to plant 400 bulbs around the Hospital’s Macmillan Cancer Care and Treatment Centre and Shouldham Ward.

The Hospital has joined forces with The College of West Anglia to offer young people, aged between 19 and 24, the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and qualifications.

Downham Home and Garden Centre had donated the daffodil and tulip bulbs to create a floral display around the unit.

Pathway Project Job and Learning Coach Leanne Lowe said the students got a lot out of the planting sessions.

She said: “We’ve had a lot of smiles on the faces of the students as they’ve really enjoyed this project and it has generated a lot of attention. We’ve had a number of passers-by stop and comment about how nice it is to see the younger generation planting.”

Chief Executive Jon Green has praised the students for their hard work.

He said: “The Pathway Project students have done a really good job in planting up the area around the Macmillan Centre, which will make a pretty display for our patients around the spring.

“I would also like to thank Downham Home and Garden Centre for their generous support of the Hospital once again. Last year, Tim and Julie Glover donated £9,469 to our cancer treatment centre.

“We place a strong focus on staff and patients but we also consider the communities of West Norfolk, Fenland and South Lincolnshire as a key part of Team QEH.”